Hot pillows

insiderpages.com/portlandmercury.com

The Portland You Know: The Benson Hotel Portland had its stuffy and proper past, and this is the hotel if you need to be properly spoiled -- while surrounded by Italian marble floors, Austrian crystal chandeliers and Circassian walnut from the imperial forests of Russia. Bring your credit limit. Listings: The Benson Hotel, 309 S.W. Broadway, 800-663-1144 or www.bensonhotel.com. (Tip: Try to snare a discounted roomon Priceline.) Portland Worth Discovering: McMenamins Crystal Hotel Portland had its naughty past, a good share of which happened in the 100-year-old building housing the new Crystal Hotel, which opened in May at the edge of the hip and high-profile Pearl District. Over the decades, building tenants ranged from shady gambling den to hippie head shop to gay bathhouse. In the Crystal's new life, its fully renovated 51 guest rooms each commemorate a song or performance from the past century at the neighboring Crystal Ballroom, a legendary music venue also now part of the McMenamins' Oregon-based eating, drinking and lodging empire. Hand-painted song lyrics encircle the top of each hotel room. McMenamins' trademark original artwork carries out the theme. "We've got Jerry Garcia in our room, wailing away right on the headboard," said Portlander Charlie Van Meter, 23, there for a friend's bachelor party. Other commemorated musicians range from Jefferson Airplane ("Somebody to Love," Room 404) to The Shins ("Sleeping Lessons," Room 305). "It fits the Portland style," said Chris Taal, 26, visiting from Anchorage. And it's the only hotel we've stayed in that provides a quart Mason jar in each room, for bringing beer up from the downstairs pub. Listings: McMenamins Crystal Hotel, 303 S.W. 12th Ave.; $105/weekend nights in peak season, with shared bath; 855-205-3930 or www.mcmenamins.com/CrystalHotel.

The Portland You Know: The Benson Hotel Portland had its stuffy and proper past, and this is the hotel if you need to be properly spoiled -- while surrounded by Italian marble floors, Austrian crystal chandeliers and Circassian walnut from the imperial forests of Russia. Bring your credit limit. Listings: The Benson Hotel, 309 S.W. Broadway, 800-663-1144 or www.bensonhotel.com. (Tip: Try to snare a discounted roomon Priceline.) Portland Worth Discovering: McMenamins Crystal Hotel Portland had its naughty past, a good share of which happened in the 100-year-old building housing the new Crystal Hotel, which opened in May at the edge of the hip and high-profile Pearl District. Over the decades, building tenants ranged from shady gambling den to hippie head shop to gay bathhouse. In the Crystal's new life, its fully renovated 51 guest rooms each commemorate a song or performance from the past century at the neighboring Crystal Ballroom, a legendary music venue also now part of the McMenamins' Oregon-based eating, drinking and lodging empire. Hand-painted song lyrics encircle the top of each hotel room. McMenamins' trademark original artwork carries out the theme. "We've got Jerry Garcia in our room, wailing away right on the headboard," said Portlander Charlie Van Meter, 23, there for a friend's bachelor party. Other commemorated musicians range from Jefferson Airplane ("Somebody to Love," Room 404) to The Shins ("Sleeping Lessons," Room 305). "It fits the Portland style," said Chris Taal, 26, visiting from Anchorage. And it's the only hotel we've stayed in that provides a quart Mason jar in each room, for bringing beer up from the downstairs pub. Listings: McMenamins Crystal Hotel, 303 S.W. 12th Ave.; $105/weekend nights in peak season, with shared bath; 855-205-3930 or www.mcmenamins.com/CrystalHotel.